Journalismiziko

MEDICAL WASTE LOCATION REMAINS UNKNOWN

The whereabouts of the waste that led to the closure of Durban North beaches for over a week remains a mystery.

EThekwini Municipality Spokesperson Thulani Mbatha, said that it was important to be clear that the recent waste was only found on certain beaches, not along the whole coast.

“After investigations were done by our own Municipality, and the Department of Environmental Affairs, as well as KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife, it was found that the waste was not necessarily medical,” said Mbatha.

“At this stage, it doesn’t appear what the source was. Some of the waste were unused condoms and household waste including things like snuff,” he added.

“The Department of Parks pointed (out) that most of the waste that was found was normally used to manufacture whoonga,” said Mbatha.

During the process of the clean up, Durban fisherman Denis Josephs believed that his unluck at catching fish was due to the waste found in the water.

“This waste is the main cause of my struggle, and the only thing I had caught today is the flu,” said Josephs.

“This is something I have never seen in my 35 years since I’ve been in Durban. I can’t even bring my friends from Johannesburg to this dirt,” he added.

Furthermore, beach lovers also found themselves at an inconvenience.

A 27-year-old Sizwe Mkhize travelled between beaches in search of clean water.

“During the closure of Lagoon beach, we found ourselves on the south beach while clean-ups were in the process due to medical waste up in the north,” said Mkhize.

“It was empty and dirty and we really don’t feel safe that side,” he added.